Conduit system

ABSTRACT

A conduit system comprising a conduit openable along its length, from either of its ends, or intermediate its ends. The conduit includes an outer body or shell fabricated of substantially inelastic metal, and an inner flexible liner. The conduit defines a seam along its length, and the seam sections are connectable together by means of spaced hook members integrally connected to the body portion of one seam section and each projecting into an opening defined adjacent the opposite seam section. The outer body includes annular corrugations spaced along its length and the corrugations are serrated to enable the outer body to bend.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John D. Bryant Rte. 3, Hawkinsville.Macon, 1a.

[21] Appl. No. 751,938

[22] Filed Aug. 12, 1968 [45] Patented June 8, 1971 [54] CONDUl'l SYSTEM10 Claims, 20 Drawing Figs.

[51] int. Cl 003d 49/24 [50] FleldofSearch 138/1, 156,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,735,450 2/1956 Brayton etal. 138/160 2,960,561 11/1960 Plummer 138/168 3,092,530 6/1963 Plummet138/166 3,011,502 12/1961 Jordon 137/1 3,208,478 /1965 Baines 138/1663,336,950 8/1967 Fochler 138/166 Primary Examiner-Henry S. .laudonAttorney.lones and Thomas ABSTRACT: A conduit system comprising aconduit openable along its length, from either of its ends, orintermediate its ends. The conduit includes an outer body or shellfabricated of substantially inelastic metal, and an inner flexibleliner. The

conduit defines a seam along its length, and the seam sections PATENTEUJUN 8 mm SHEET 1 [1F 3 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

INVENTQR JOHN DENNIS BRYANT BY W; W

ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUN 8 |97| SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR JOHN [mums BRYANT BYaamumf m ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUN 8 l9?! SHEET 3 BF 3 JOHN DENNIS BRYANT Hm [I ATTORNEYS CONDUIT SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conduitspresently is use for irrigation and other purposes are difficult tohandle and operate because of their bulkiness and weight, and when aconduit reaches a certain size or length, it cannot be dragged bypulling from one end without danger of damaging the conduit anddestroying its fluid tight integrity.

With regard to irrigation, one of the more popular usages of flexibleconduits is to extend a conduit and a tow wire from a source of water,and connect the conduit and tow wire to a self-propelled sprinklertrolley. When the conduit is charged with water pressure, the sprinklersprays the water out from the trolley and the trolley reels in or walksup the tow cable, dragging the conduit behind it. Of course, as thetrolley gets closer to the source of water, it drags more and moreconduit behind it. The weight of the conduit and the water present inthe conduit creates a significant drag on the trolley, tow cable, andthe portion of the conduit which has turned to follow the trolley. Aftera predetermined amount of conduit has turned to follow the trolley, theconduit will rupture. Thus, the length of conduit usable with thetrolley and tow cable arrangement is limited.

The trolley and tow cable arrangement is also limited in its irrigatingfunctions in that the trolley must walk up the tow cable directly towardthe origin of the tow cable, without turning corners or otherwisechanging direction. Of course, this arrangement is ineffective when thetrolley is to move along the rows of a crop that have been curved inaccordance with the contour of the land. Furthermore, when the conduitis turned to follow the cart, its turning space is usually large, whichlimits its use to open spaces usually wider than the spaces between rowsof crops.

In some instances it is desirable to connect a second conduit to a mainconduit at an interval between its ends. Unless the main conduit has anauxiliary outlet connection placed at a convenient location along itslength, the second conduit cannot be connected to the main conduitwithout virtually destroying the main conduit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present inventioncomprises a conduit system for irrigation, fluid handling, and otherpurposes. The conduit includes an openable seam which can beprogressively opened from either end of the conduit, or can be opened ata point intermediate the ends of the conduit. Means are provided forsupplying or withdrawing fluid from the conduit at one of its ends andprogressively opening the conduit without interrupting the flow of fluidthrough the conduit and reeling in the opened portion of the conduit.

Thus, it is an object of thisinvention to provide a conduit system whichis openable along its length from either end, or from virtually anypoint along its length.

Another object of this invention is to provide a conduit system forirrigation and other purposes which includes a fluid tight sealextendingalong its length which can be opened, as desired, at anyposition along its length.

Another object of this invention is to provide a conduit system withmeans of supplying or withdrawing liquid from the conduit from eitherend of the conduit while reeling in or playing out additional lengths ofconduit without interrupting the flow of fluid through the conduit.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for connecting afirst conduit to a second conduit, means for charging the conduits withfluid, and means for moving the first conduit along the length of thesecond conduit without interrupting the flow of fluid through theconduits.

Another object of this invention is to provide a conduit which isopenable along the length and dimensionally stable both longitudinallyand diametrically, yet is flexible along its length.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the conduit inits opened condition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the conduit in its closedcondition.

FIG. 3 is a detailed showing of the seam latching mechanism.

FIG. 4, 5 and 6 are progressive schematic illustrations of the latchingmechanism, showing the manner in which the latching mechanism isconnected.

FIG. 7 is an illustration similar to FIG. 6, but showing theconfiguration of the conduit when fluid pressure is applied.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional illustration ofa portion of theconduit, showing the manner in which the conduit bends along its length.

FIG. 9 is a lateral cross-sectional illustration of the conduit, takentransversely of the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the conduit, showing the manner in which theconduit is converted from its flat configuration to its tubularconfiguration and charged with fluid; with portions of the figure beingshown in cross section and in dashed lines for clarity.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the tube former, taken along lines11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid charging pipe, takenalong lines 12-12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the conduit closing mechanism,taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the conduit closing mechanism takenalong lines 14-14 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the conduit and its fluidextracting device.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the conduit and a fluid extracting devicewhich includes conduit opening devices.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid extracting device, takenalong the lines 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a modified fluid extracting device.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the conduit, showing the construction of apermanently connected branch connection in the conduit.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the conduit and its branchconnection, taken along lines 20-20 of FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing inmore detail, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout theseveral views, FIG. 1 shows a portion of conduit 10 in its open, flatconfiguration. Conduit 10 includes shell or body portion 11 and liner 12(FIG. 2). Body 11 is fabricated from a inelastic semirigid material,such as spring steel, while liner 12 is fabricated of a fluid imperviousflexible material such as neoprene. Body 11 is corrugated at spacedintervals along its length, and corrugations 14 extend laterally thelength of conduit 10, from one side to the other side of body portion11. Corrugations 14 are externally convex, and each corrugation 14 isserrated by a series of slits 15 which extend transversely of eachcorrugation 14, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of conduit10. The arrangement of corrugations 14 and its serrations 15 is suchthat a relatively inflexible strip 16 is positioned between adjacentones of corrugations 14, and corrugations 14 render body portion 11flexible along its length.

The opposite edges 18 and 19 of body portion 11 together with theadjacent opposite edges of liner 12 form seam strips which areconnectable together to form seam 20 (FIG. 2) of the conduit when in itsclosed configuration. Seam strip 18 includes protrusions 21 at spaceintervals along its length at the end of each corrugation 14. Eachprotrusion 21 extends beyond the margin of the edge of body portion 11,and is peaked because of corrugation l4. Latch openings 22 are spacedinwardly from seam strip or edge 18, and are positioned in each of theinflexible strips 18, between corrugations l4. Hooks or latches 24protrude from seam section or edge 19, and mate with latch openings 22.As is shown in FIG. 3, each latch 24 includes shank 25 and connectingtab 26. Shank 25 extends generally parallel to the surface of bodyportion 11, while connecting tab 26 is bent inwardly and back toward theinner portion of conduit 10. Shank 25 and connecting tab 26 are flutedto increase their strength characteristics. Each latch opening 22 hasits bearing surface 28 shaped to match the convolutions of latches 24.

As is shown in FIGS. 4-7, conduit is formed into a tubular configurationby latching together seam strips 18 and 19. Body portion 11 is urgedinto a concave configuration so that hooks 24 move toward theirrespective latch openings 22. Hooks 24 are extended up over the edge ofthe opposite seam strip 18, while protrusions 21 of seam strip 18 aremoved up over the edge of scam strip 19. The connecting tab of each hook24 is then moved into its latch opening 22. During this movement conduit10 will have been compressed into a configuration where its seam strips18 and 19 remain substantially flat and parallel to each other while theremaining portion of the conduit assumes a concave configuration. Afterhooks 24 are received in their respective latch openings 22, conduit 10will be released, and its natural elasticity will cause it to assume asubstantially rounded tubular configuration, but with the seams possiblyforming a ridge or peak along the length of the conduit as shown in FIG.6. When in this configuration, the elastic liner 12 will be pressedtogether at its seam strips. Also, when fluid pressure is appliedinternally of the conduit, the conduit will assume a circularcross-sectional configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, and liner 12 willremain pressed together at its seam strips to a substantial extent.

As is shown in FIGS. 4-7, liner 12 defines a concave groove 28 along theedge of scam strip 18, and a convex mating rib 29 along its edge at seamstrip 19. Rib 19 is moved into groove 28 as seam 20 is formed, to createa fluid tight seam along the lengths of conduit 10.

As is best shown in FIG. 8, conduit 10 is flexible along its length whenit is in tubular form. While the material from which body 11 isfabricated normally would be rather inflexible when in exact tubularform, corregations l4 and their serrations render conduit 10 flexible orbendable along its longitudinal axis. When conduit 10 is bent, thecorrugations on the inside of the bend tend to contract, while thecorrugations on the outside of the bend tend to expand. With thisarrangement the conduit can be bent without significant distortion inthe material of body portion 11.

As is shown in FIG. 9, conduit 10 can be constructed with supportingcables 31 connected thereto and extending along its length, Cables 31can be brazed to the inflexible strips 16 between adjacent corrugations14, and the portions of corrugations 14 adjacent cables 31 can beremoved, if necessary, to accommodate cables 31. While cables 31 mayrender conduit 10 less flexible, conduit 10 retains some of its abilityto bend around cables 31 since cables 31 are made from woven rod and arecontractable, and conduits 10 retain virtually all of their ability tobend with cables 31. Also, cables 31 are quite useful in handling andpositioning conduit 10, and inhibit the longitudinal stretching orelongation of conduit 10.

As is best shown in FIG. 10, conduit 10 is transformed from its flatconfiguration of FIG. 1 to its tubular configuration of FIG. 2 by meansof tube former 32, supply pipe 34, and closing device 35. The tubeformer, supply pipe and closing device are integrally connected to eachother to form a unitary mechanism; however, FIG. 10 shows these elementsin unconnected spaced relationship for clarity.

Tube former 32 is tubular, and as shown in FIG. 11 includes shell 36,core 38, and connecting leg 39. Core 38 can be solid or tubular asshown, and connecting leg 39 suspends core 38 in a generally concentricrelationship with shell 36. Guide ribs 40 are spaced from each other onopposite sides of the internal surface of shell 36, to guide cables 31through. tube former 32. Conduit 10 enters tube former 32 in a generallyflat configuration and is guided into a crescent configuration as isshown in FIG. 11, with ribs 40 being positioned on opposite sides ofcables 31. Conduit 10 is still open as it emerges from tube former 32,and passes about normal leg 41 of supply pipe 34. Parallel leg 42 ofsupply pipe 34 extends along the length of conduit 10, and beyondclosing device 35 (FIG. 12). Closing device 35 surrounds parallel leg42, and is connected to parallel leg 42 by means of zipper connection 44(FIG. 13). Zipper connection 44 is shaped to guide seam sections 18 and19 of conduit 10 into closed relationship with a zipper-cam movement, sothat seam section 18 and 19 move toward each other and are connectedwith each other in the motion as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. As isshown in FIG. 14, when conduit 10 reaches the end of closing device 35,seam 20 has been formed. Parallel leg 42 of supply pipe 34 extendsbeyond closing device 35 (FIG. 10), and flexible sealing sleeve 45 isconnected to the end of parallel leg 42 and flares into contact with theinside surface of conduit 10. Sealing seam 45 forms a sliding seal withconduit 10 which is virtually fluid impervious.

As is shown in FIG. 15, conduit 10 can be opened at a point intermediateits ends, and liquid extractor 46 inserted to form a T connection withthe conduit, Liquid extractor 46 comprises a T-shaped tube with adiameter less than the diameter of conduit 10, and sealing sleeves 48are connected to the head 49 of the T-shaped tube. Center leg 50projects through the open seam of conduit 11 and is threaded forconnection to an auxiliary conduit. With this arrangement, the fluidpressure within conduit 10 will be blocked from the open portion of theseam of the conduit by means of sealing sleeves 48, and extractor 46will function to allow fluid to flow through conduit 10 as usual, andalso to flow through a branch connection.

As is shown in FIG. 16, extractor 46 can be combined with conduit seamclosing devices, so that extractor 46 can be moved longitudinally ofconduit 10 without interrupting communication through conduit 10 or withthe secondary conduit connected to extractor 46. Closing devices 51(FIG. 17) are positioned adjacent center leg 50 of the extractor 46,while sealing sleeves 48 are placed beyond the closing devices. Withthis arrangement, the extractor can be moved longitudinally with conduit10, and one closing device 51 will function to open conduit 10, whilethe following closing device 51 will function to close conduit 10, whichcreates a moving opening along the length of the conduit through whichcenter leg 56 can project. Of course, sealing sleeves 48 maintain asliding seal with the internal surface of conduct 10, so that the fluidintegrity of conduit 10 will not be interrupted.

FIG. 18 shows a modified extractor 54 which does not utilize theinternal tube of the T-shaped extractor 46. Extractor 54 is clamped ontoconduit 10 after an opening has been made in seam 20 and before fluidpressure has been applied to the conduit, and annular seals 55 ofextractor 54 sealingly engage the external surface of conduit 10 onopposite sides of the opening therein. Branch conduit connection 56extends away from extractor 54, so that when conduit 10 is charged withfluid, the fluid is free to flow through the opening formed in seam 20and into branch connection 56 of extractor 54.

As is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a permanent branch connection can bemade to conduit 10. A circular opening is made in body 11 and liner 12.Branch conduit 58 is inserted through the aligned openings, and sealingpad 59 is inserted over branch conduit 58 and inserted between bodyportion 11 and liner l2. Sealing pad 59 is connected to branch conduit58, body portion 11 and liner 12 by means of an adhesive, to form afluid tight connection. Branch conduit 58 can be fabricated of aflexible, deformable material, such as plastic or rubber, or can befabricated of a more rigid material, such as iron or steel. With thisarrangement, conduit 10 is still openable along its length and can bestored in a flat, opened configuration, without also storing theinternal space normally defined within a tubular conduit.

While body portion 11 has been illustrated as being generally flat whenopened along its length, it may be desirable to form the body portion ina generally concave configuration with the seam sections turned slightlyup to facilitate the forming of the body portion into its tubular form.

OPERATION Conduit can be transformed from flat configuration (FIG. 1) totubular configuration (HO. 2), or vice versa, by manual means, or bypassing the conduit through a closing device of the types shown in FIGS.10, 13, or 17. After conduit 10 has been formed in a tubularconfiguration, it can be opened at any point intermediate its ends bymerely disengaging one or more of its latches M from a latch opening 22.Conduit 10 can be continuously charged with fluid pressure as it isbeing formed, by the apparatus shown in FIG. 10, or a branch conduit canbe connected to conduit 10 and moved along the length of conduit 10without destroying fluid communication between the conduits, as shown inFIGS. --18.

While body portion or shell 11 of conduit 10 has been disclosed as beingfabricated of spring steel, it should be understood that various othermaterials may be utilized. Body portion 11 should be of such strengthcharacteristic so that it is able to withstand large internal pressures,and occasional external abrasions, etc. It should be noted that latches24 are of unitary construction with body portion 11, so that bothlatches, latch openings 22, and body portion 11 can be fabricated from asingle piece of material. Furthermore, latches 24 form and extension ofbody portion 11, and are positioned at the ends of relatively inflexiblecircular strips 16, which function to place a series of semirigid bandsaround liner 12 along the length of conduit 10. While any tubularstructure is normally inflexible along its longitudinal axis,corrugations or crimps l4 and their respective serrations l5 renderconduit 10 flexible or bendable along its length, as shown in FIG. 8.When conduit 10 is bent, the corrugations in the bent portion willdeflect or expand and contract, with the portions of the corrugations onthe inside of the bend tending to contract and portions of thecorrugations on the outside of the bend tending to expand.

Protrusions 21 spaced along seam section 18 at the end of eachcorrugation 14 overlap the opposite seam section to assure a positivelatching function of latches 24. It is virtually impossible to destroythe integrity of seam 20 by pressing on or adjacent seam section 18,since protrusions 21 are supported by the opposite seam section 19.Thus, even when conduit 10 is not charged with fluid pressure, itstubular or chew lar configuration will be assured.

in the event that an extremely low pressure is experienced withinconduit 10 that would normally tend to collapse the conduit, a slightcollapse of the conduit will be tolerated until the seam strips becomeparallel with each other, as shown in FIG. 5, whereupon air can leakthrough the seal into the conduit. When internal pressure is regained,the conduit will assume its pressurized position (FIG. 7), whereupon theseam sections are in positive contact with each other and seal theconduit.

The unused portion of the conduit can be stored in its opened, flatcondition, so that the dead interior volume and the liquid carriedthereby do not occupy storage area. The open conduit can be stored on areel and transported in this compact convenient arrangement, and playedout, formed as a tube and used as desired.

At this point, it should be apparent that a conduit system is disclosedwhich is highly useful and versatile for irrigation and other purposes.The conduit can be opened along its length for storage purposes so thatthe area normally defined within a tubular conduit and the liquidconfined therein does not also have to be stored, and only the length ofconduit which is desired to be used must be used. Many and various otheradvantages should be apparent in the disclosed structure.

While the conduit has been disclosed as being used for irrigationpurposes, it should be understood that virtually any fluid or semifluidmaterials can be transported by the conduit, including pulpwoodslurries, chalk slurries, coal slurries, dust, gases, etc. The conduitcan be used as a fire hose, irrigation hose, as an industrial hose, andin various other conditions. While latches 24 and latch openings 22 havebeen disclosed as being of unitary construction with shell 11, it shouldbe obvious that these elements can be fabricated separately and fastenedto shell 11 by rivets or by welding, etc. Also, the latches utilized canbe a spring locking latch, and the conduit can be formed with two seamsif desired. Furthermore, when conduit 10 is to be utilized to carry acidor abrasive materials, liner 12 can be coated with a material whichresists the deleterious effect of the materials.

The liner may be subject to more rapid wear than the shell or bodyportion, depending upon the type materials transported by the conduitand various other conditions. Since the liner is attached to the innersurface of body portion 11 by an adhesive, it is possible to remove aworn liner and replace it with a new one.

The structure of body portion 11 is such that it retains diametricaldimensional stability, and cables 31 assure longitudinal dimensionalstability, while the conduit retains its ability to bend along itslength and to open or close, as may be desired. The seam construction issuch that each hook operates individually, and the series of hooks donot form a rigid spine, but remain substantially as flexible as the restof the conduit.

The construction of the conduit is such that only the amount of conduitdesired for a particular job need be extended from the source to thepoint of delivery, and the remaining unused portion of the conduitremains stored on a reel or similar storage device. The conduit can bereeled in or out while fluid is flowing through it or while it is empty.It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many othervariations may be made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose ofillustrating the present invention without departing from the scopethereof as defined by the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A fluid flow device comprising an elongated sheet of materialincluding mating interlocking seams along its opposite longitudinaledges, said sheet of material being deformable laterally of its lengthto permit said seams to move into and out of abutting interlockingrelationship with each other to form said sheet of material into a tube,said sheet of material being shaped to deform along its length when inits tubular configuration to permit said tube to bend along its length,and including a layer of fluid impervious sealing material bonded to itsinner surface.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said the tube formed by said sheetof material includes generally annular corrugations spaced along itslength, and connecting means adjacent said seam strips and intermediatesaid corrugations for holding said seam strips in abutting relationship.

3. A fluid flow conduit for flowing pressurized fluid comprising atubular outer body fabricated from a relatively rigid material and atubular inner sealing liner attached to the inner surface of said outerbody and fabricated from a relatively flexible fluid imperviousmaterial, said outer body and inner sealing liner defining a seamextending along the length of said conduit which includes mating seamsections constructed and arranged to connect with and disconnect fromeach other and close or open said conduit along its length.

4.'The fluid flow conduit of claim 3 and wherein one of said seamsections includes a series of spaced hook members, and the other of saidseam sections includes a series of spaced openings sized and positionedto receive said hook members.

5. The fluid flow conduit of claim 4 and wherein said outer body isformed with a series of externally protruding corrugations extendinggenerally transverse to the length of said conduit and spaced along thelength of said conduit at intervals between said spaced hook members.

6. The fluid flow conduit of claim 3 and wherein said outer body isfabricated of spring steel and one of said seam sections includes aplurality of spaced hooks integrally formed with said outer body andextending beyond the edge of said inner sealing liner, and the other ofsaid seam sections defines a plurality of spaced openings sized andpositioned to receive said hooks, said inner sealing liner extendingover and closing said spaced openings on the inner surface of saidconduit.

7 A fluid flow conduit for flowing pressurized fluids comprising anouter rigidifying body and a pliable inner liner, separable seamextending along the length of said conduit for opening and closing saidconduit along its length, said seam being constructed and arranged tomaintain the edges of the outer rigidifying body in abutment with eachother and the edges of said pliable liner at said seam in abutting,generally sealed relationship with each other when said conduit isclosed along its length.

8. The fluid conduit of claim 7 and wherein said outer rigidifying bodycomprises an elongated sheet including interlocking longitudinal edges,and a series of spaced convex corrugations formed in said sheet andextending laterally across the length of said sheet.

9. The fluid flow conduit of claim 7 and further characterized by saidconvex corrugations each defining a series of spaced slots thereinextending across the length of said corrugations.

10. The fluid flow conduit of claim 7 and further including a cableconnected to and extending along the length of said outer rigidifyingbody.

1. A fluid flow device comprising an elonGated sheet of materialincluding mating interlocking seams along its opposite longitudinaledges, said sheet of material being deformable laterally of its lengthto permit said seams to move into and out of abutting interlockingrelationship with each other to form said sheet of material into a tube,said sheet of material being shaped to deform along its length when inits tubular configuration to permit said tube to bend along its length,and including a layer of fluid impervious sealing material bonded to itsinner surface.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said the tube formedby said sheet of material includes generally annular corrugations spacedalong its length, and connecting means adjacent said seam strips andintermediate said corrugations for holding said seam strips in abuttingrelationship.
 3. A fluid flow conduit for flowing pressurized fluidcomprising a tubular outer body fabricated from a relatively rigidmaterial and a tubular inner sealing liner attached to the inner surfaceof said outer body and fabricated from a relatively flexible fluidimpervious material, said outer body and inner sealing liner defining aseam extending along the length of said conduit which includes matingseam sections constructed and arranged to connect with and disconnectfrom each other and close or open said conduit along its length.
 4. Thefluid flow conduit of claim 3 and wherein one of said seam sectionsincludes a series of spaced hook members, and the other of said seamsections includes a series of spaced openings sized and positioned toreceive said hook members.
 5. The fluid flow conduit of claim 4 andwherein said outer body is formed with a series of externally protrudingcorrugations extending generally transverse to the length of saidconduit and spaced along the length of said conduit at intervals betweensaid spaced hook members.
 6. The fluid flow conduit of claim 3 andwherein said outer body is fabricated of spring steel and one of saidseam sections includes a plurality of spaced hooks integrally formedwith said outer body and extending beyond the edge of said inner sealingliner, and the other of said seam sections defines a plurality of spacedopenings sized and positioned to receive said hooks, said inner sealingliner extending over and closing said spaced openings on the innersurface of said conduit.
 7. A fluid flow conduit for flowing pressurizedfluids comprising an outer rigidifying body and a pliable inner liner,separable seam extending along the length of said conduit for openingand closing said conduit along its length, said seam being constructedand arranged to maintain the edges of the outer rigidifying body inabutment with each other and the edges of said pliable liner at saidseam in abutting, generally sealed relationship with each other whensaid conduit is closed along its length.
 8. The fluid conduit of claim 7and wherein said outer rigidifying body comprises an elongated sheetincluding interlocking longitudinal edges, and a series of spaced convexcorrugations formed in said sheet and extending laterally across thelength of said sheet.
 9. The fluid flow conduit of claim 7 and furthercharacterized by said convex corrugations each defining a series ofspaced slots therein extending across the length of said corrugations.10. The fluid flow conduit of claim 7 and further including a cableconnected to and extending along the length of said outer rigidifyingbody.